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Jun 6, 2012

Light Me Up!

After breakfast one Saturday we were wandering around the local Restore. Since we were holding a garage sale the next weekend we weren't really looking for anything in particular. But isn't that when you make the best finds?

At the Restore we found a basket of panels used to make cube storage.

There were 30 panels, all of the connectors, and even instructions (that I accidentally tore just before I took this picture).

The panels are 14" x 14" each and I thought, wouldn't they make an excellent light tent? I've been asking Tom to make a light tent for me for quite a while - not because I can't make one for myself, but because he has better access to the materials. The panels are white plastic and just thin enough to let a light source through for a diffused look. The price on one panel said $5.00 each.

Per panel? That's crazy. I hid the panel that said $5 and took the basket to the cashier pretending I didn't know how much they were. The cashier said, "I know there was a price on here somewhere...", so I wasn't going to get away with it. I mentioned the "$5 each" and she told me not to be silly, it was the price for the whole basket. Sold! I only wanted 5 panels but I figured I could sell the rest as storage at the yard sale.

Later Tom said I should keep the extra panels in case I needed a larger tent.

They snap together so easily. The panel corners slide into the connectors in two different ways depending on the angle you need.

And the wire frame is really sturdy. So until we get it together to build (or buy) a better lightbox, I have this one for about 75 cents per cube.

You can use it with both sides up,

A light source on one side for more illumination,

Or with one side removed for stronger light.

It also comes apart easily and you can then make a bigger box if you are photographing something larger.

And if the divisions between panels bothers you, you can hang a piece of fabric or paper over the back to create a smooth background. (I would get rid of the wrinkles first of course!)

I'm so excited to start using it. After I wash it. The whole thing is completely filthy.

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